That, and her bracelet, was all she wanted. That was all any dream runner wanted, and Asha knew it. “I don’t get why you think I need to hear this.”

Because Asha was Asha, instead of backing off, she slid up beside Tanvi. “I have been planning, and I believe you should accompany me.” She wiggled on her coils, beaming. “Would it not be fun to come to Philadelphia? We could dress you up like me!”

Philadelphia. Tanvi’s hands closed around the nearest dreamstones, and their polished facets cut into her skin. It took everything she had to hold her face still.

“What do you mean?” she asked as vapidly as she could, even though the breath lodged in her lungs felt like it would strangle her. Was Asha trying to trap her? Get Tanvi to admit she’d screwed up the other night?

Did Asha know?

“Truly, Tanvi, you are the most unobservant person I have ever had the misfortune of meeting,” Asha complained. “Sometimes I wonder if the only way you would even realize I am here is if I gave you one of the jewels from my hair for your harvest.”

Were the dream runners under some kind of surveillance to track their progress? The idea jarred Tanvi to her core.

The girl in the street, the girl who had called her a name, loomed in her mind. Had that been a test?

Sweat pooled under Tanvi’s arms. What secrets had she given away? Would Nayan kick her out?

Was she going to lose her bracelet?

“Of course I know you’re here,” she snapped, her fear acute enough to sound like anger. “You never stop talking!”

“That settles it,” said Asha. “Since you are too foolish to comprehend when someone is trying to help you, I shall decide in your stead. You are coming with me.”

“Why?” Tanvi burst out, knuckles scraping the dreamstones. Too bad it wasn’t already night, so she could take off with them.

If Asha was going to turn her in, cost her the chance to earn her bracelet, why wouldn’t she just say so?

Asha flipped her long hair. “Because fresh air would likely do you many worlds of good.”

“But my—”

“Yes, yes,” Asha interrupted, waving a hand. “Your appointment with Venkat is not until tomorrow. I heard you the first time. Unlike some people, I actually listen when others speak.”

The disaster from two nights ago replayed itself in Tanvi’s head all over again. Why hadn’t she looked where she was going? Why hadn’t she run as soon as the girl had started talking?

What was it the girl had called her? Nitya. Was that supposed to mean something?

The questions caromed off one another, but Tanvi couldn’t connect any of them with an answer.

Asha watched her with sly eyes. “Is something the matter?”